Happy T(of)urkey Day, readers!

It’s hard to believe that another holiday season is upon us — where does the time go?! We love Thanksgiving here at Inhabitat, not only for its delicious bounty, but for the opportunity it gives us to reflect on our lives and give thanks for some of the things that have brought us joy over the year. Something of an annual tradition, we asked our editors and writers to share what they’re most thankful for this season. Read on to hear what they had to say, and please share some of your own sentiments with us in the comments below. And of course, thank YOU dear readers for supporting Inhabitat — we wouldn’t be here without all of you guys and gals! We hope that you have a wonderful day full of family, friends, feasting and fun!

Jill Fehrenbacher, Editor-in-Chief and founder of Inhabitat

This year, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, I am thankful for human ingenuity and the amazing technology that we humans have created in the past few decades. When people talk about technology, that usually just conjures up an mental image of the entertainment value of cell phones and video games – but 21st century technology has the capacity to be life-changing for so many people. The blackouts and infrastructure breakdown that happened post Hurricane Sandy really highlights both how much technology can help us, and also how dependent we all are on it (in the Western, urban world) for our very existence. Hurricane Sandy definitely made me re-evaluate what I think is important, and highlighted my resolve to focus my time and attention on off-grid renewable energy technology that allows people to connect to each other without dependance on an antiquated, aging national energy grid. Hurricane Sandy also made me realize how much I love New York City and all of the fabulous people who live here in this vibrant city. Finally I want to give thanks to my wonderful family, especially my 4 year son, and this new little dude (currently in utero) who I’m looking forward to meeting any day. He’s a constant reminder to take things one step at a time and focus on what is truly important.

Mike Chino, Managing Editor at Inhabitat

This year I’m thankful – more than ever – for the place I live and the people I share it with. The San Francisco Bay Area is a beautiful, amazing place, and over the past 12 months I’ve found myself immersed in my local environment more and more as I’ve added cycling and surfing to my weekly routine. It can be hard to find a balance between working indoors and getting outside, but I’ve been trying to unplug and experience the environment – otherwise how do you know what you’re fighting to protect?

Soldiers getting ready to hand out water at Confucious Plaza in Chinatown. Photo by Yuka Yoneda

Yuka Yoneda, Senior Editor at Inhabitat and Inhabitat NYC

This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for people. I’m grateful for people like Helen Cheuck and Johnny Jhun, who gave up their weekends to climb up and down stairs bringing water to elderly trapped in their homes. I’m thankful for guys like Mike Purcell, who went door to door delivering hoagies, sodas and Tasty Kake Butterscotch Krimpets to people without power. I’m grateful for gals like Amy Ahn, who spent hours cooking for the soldiers who came to aid people who’d lost their homes – and, of course, I’m also thankful for those soldiers themselves. I’m even, and maybe especially, thankful for the drug dealer who donated 700 bucks to help buy blankets, formula and food for his displaced fellow New Yorkers. We write about how design will save the world so often that it’s easy to forget what will really save the world when we need it most and expect it least – people. Thank you to everyone who made the human race look a little more human just when we thought there wasn’t much hope left for us.

This year I’m thankful to be safe and sound in New York City. I was luckily out of town when Sandy hit, and on top of that, I came back to an apartment with everything still in place. I’m thankful that I live in an city where there are more than a handful of people willing to mobilize, take a stand, and help their community. I’m also thankful for the kids, seniors, and community leaders I’ve worked with through New York Cares this year. They’ve really helped me become more cognizant of the individuals right in front of me who are in need of a little extra help, attention, and support, every single day. And finally, I’m thankful for my parents and friends who are constant sources of support, inspiration, and joy for me.

I am thankful for my supportive close-knit family, my boyfriend and good friends who are definitely for keeps, and my two troublemaking cuddly cats. I’m super grateful to work at Inhabitat with its wicked smart team of editors and writers. I also have to give thanks to the simple things: Google calendar, crowd-funding sites, WhatsApp, chunky knit sweaters, ethical companies and brunch.